Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

mothers who plan to bottle feed should take in their own milk

307 replies

thebeesnees79 · 29/09/2012 13:12

If a woman decided prior to baby being born they shouldn't expect the hospital to provide bottles and milk they should bring their own?
Why should the nhs give out milk? aibu?

OP posts:
MNHQ
RowanMumsnet · 29/09/2012 15:07

Hello

We know this is an emotive topic, but please be careful in your responses and remember our rules about personal attacks and disablist language (www.mumsnet.com/info/netiquette).

Thanks
MNHQ

Tiredmumno1 · 29/09/2012 15:08

Wannabe we got ours from boots Smile

McHappyPants2012 · 29/09/2012 15:10

I have seen them on asda website

wannabedomesticgoddess · 29/09/2012 15:11

Thanks :) will have to get some. Our hospital hasnt said we need to and its not on the lists of what to bring. But I would like to be prepared.

Plus they would be handy to have on the first days at home.

Tiredmumno1 · 29/09/2012 15:11

And I apologise rowan, my response was not meant to sound horrible Smile

Mrsjay · 29/09/2012 15:13

we used to get the cartons from boots and superdrug sell them too

Fairyjen · 29/09/2012 15:18

You can get the cartons in pretty much any supermarket. The glass bottles with separate sterile teats (this is what my hospital provided) can be bought from mothercare but to be fair they are quite pricey, particularly as newborn may only drink tiny amount each time. You can buy in bulk online as well.

Fairyjen · 29/09/2012 15:23

Again rowan, my apologies for any offence caused! Smile

BabyDubsEverywhere · 29/09/2012 15:38

THIS

I took this pack in with me, thought it was a great idea.

Moominsarescary · 29/09/2012 17:29

We got the bottles with sterilised teats from asda

HappyAsChips · 29/09/2012 17:40

YABVU. Why shouldn't they provide formula? The last thing you need after just giving birth is the hassle of fussing around with bottles in hospital. It's just a bit of milk. If NHS money can be spent on obese people having gastric bands fitted, then it should pay for a bit of milk for newborns.

They provided it when my dd was born (my dd was breast fed but midwives gave her some formula because I lost so much blood and was ill after giving birth). She is 12 now, so I don't know whether they still do or not. If they don't, I suspect it's to try to force encourage mothers to bf.

YouMayLogOut · 29/09/2012 17:41
Biscuit
LadyFlumpalot · 29/09/2012 17:46

Hospital I had DS in didn't provide anything, was supposed to be a home birth but was blue lighted in. Kinda forgot my hospital bag in the rush.

They looked at me like this: Angry when I asked if they had any maternity pads I could use until OH came back with my bag.

I dread to think what reaction I'd have gotten if I'd asked for formula!

cashmere · 29/09/2012 18:02

Our hospital asks you to bring your own pillow as they don't have enough. You also have to bring your own towel, pads, breast pads, nappies and cotton wool.
If the NHS can't stretch to those items I don't see why it should provide formula when a mother plans to use it.
As far as I know you cam buy disposable bottles, which whilst expensive, will only be needed for a couple days.

My SIL fed her 1st child for 3 months and didn't like the lack

cashmere · 29/09/2012 18:05

Our hospital asks you to bring your own pillow as they don't have enough. You also have to bring your own towel, pads, breast pads, nappies and cotton wool.
If the NHS can't stretch to those items I don't see why it should provide formula when a mother plans to use it.
As far as I know you cam buy disposable bottles, which whilst expensive, will only be needed for a couple days.

My SIL fed her 1st child for 3 months and didn't like the fact that she was the only person who could feed. She planned to ff her next child but decided to bf in hospital as was less faff.

That is an example of a clear choice, she told her midwife she would bf as didn't want to enter into discussion.
In scenarios such as that I don't think the NHS should pay when they are also trying to promote the health benefits of bf.

cashmere · 29/09/2012 18:05

Toddler climbed on me there!

Feminine · 29/09/2012 18:20

I lost a baby at around 16 weeks.

I bled very , very badly and had arrived in an ambulance. I was allowed 2 sanitary towels...

MrsHHanssen · 29/09/2012 18:31

Babies are patients. Patients are provided food. Babies not being breastfeed NEED formula so their food should be provided as it would be for any other patient.

Sack a paper pusher or three before you refuse to feed quite possibly the most vulnerable patients in the building.

TheTermagantToaster · 29/09/2012 18:55

Feminine :(

wigglesrock · 29/09/2012 19:16

I have formula fed 3 children from birth. My youngest is 19 months and I double checked with the midwife whether or not I needed to supply my own formula/ bottles. She told me formula would be supplied because the baby was a patient seperate from the Mother and therefore food was provided.

surroundedbyblondes · 29/09/2012 19:36

Why make parents who choose to ff feel do under attsck OP? In a civilised society shouldn't we support women in the first few days after giving birth?

Original poster
thebeesnees79 · 29/09/2012 19:49

I don't really know why I am bothering to post again after the onslaught I have had but for wiw, I am due to give birth in 2 weeks and I am taking the following.
A bath towel, babies wipes and nappies, tooth paste, tooth brush, maternity pads, breast pads, nipple cream, blankets for the baby. Clothing for both of us. I don't expect any of this to be provided for me, all I want is a place to give birth where if I encounter any problems me and baby are safe.
If I was having difficulty feeding then I would like my baby to have top up formula (I never said it should be removed from hospital)

OP posts:
advance01 · 29/09/2012 19:54

Also agree with the person who says it makes sense from a practical point of view. Those who have had a section would be unable to sort out sterilising etc in 1st 24 hours so it would be another strain on staff. Unless of course you brought pre sterilised ones which are expensive.Having said that I would never expect hospital to provide sanitary pads or nappies etc as they are not food. (although this time they did give me a few nappies as ours were tucked away in a bag I couldn't reach)

GoldShip · 29/09/2012 19:58

Tell you what then, don't you eat a single thing offered to you in that hospital then. Because if you do it's rather hypocritical.

That child is a human being too.

sookiesookie · 29/09/2012 19:58

TBH breats feeding support is just not good enough in this country to assume that for the majority FF is simply a lifestyle choice.

Its shit, I think they should get bf support right (without victimising anyone), that would raise bf rates. NOt all this making ff mums feel shit.